Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Total contract assets	$ 5,300	$ 3,100
Revenue recognized in excess of amounts reclassified to trade accounts receivable, net	6,800	4,100
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	18,000
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	1,889,065	1,848,399	$ 1,534,033
Waste Processing and Reuse Solutions [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	681,804	639,233	472,631
Aluminum Dross and Scrap Processing Systems [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	14,902	15,114	12,953
Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing; and related logistical services
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	900,426	920,580	781,060
Applied Products [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	145,911	132,389	120,432
Soil and dredged material
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	146,022	141,083	146,957
Operating Segments [Member] | Clean Earth
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	827,826	780,316	619,588
Operating Segments [Member] | Harsco Environmental
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	1,061,239	1,068,083	914,445
Operating Segments [Member] | Waste Processing and Reuse Solutions [Member] | Clean Earth
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	681,804	639,233	472,631
Operating Segments [Member] | Waste Processing and Reuse Solutions [Member] | Harsco Environmental
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	0	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Aluminum Dross and Scrap Processing Systems [Member] | Clean Earth
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	0	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Aluminum Dross and Scrap Processing Systems [Member] | Harsco Environmental
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	14,902	15,114	12,953
Operating Segments [Member] | Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing; and related logistical services | Clean Earth
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	0	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Environmental services related to resource recovery for metals manufacturing; and related logistical services | Harsco Environmental
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	900,426	920,580	781,060
Operating Segments [Member] | Applied Products [Member] | Clean Earth
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	0	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Applied Products [Member] | Harsco Environmental
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	145,911	132,389	120,432
Operating Segments [Member] | Soil and dredged material | Clean Earth
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	146,022	141,083	146,957
Operating Segments [Member] | Soil and dredged material | Harsco Environmental
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Product revenues	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0